Durham County commissioners voted 3-2 to impose stricter development grading caps and increase tree preservation requirements to 40%, the most contentious decision from a September 11 meeting that also expanded employee family leave policies.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to require tree preservation at 40% and cap mass grading to 35-50 acre phases starting October 1, with Burns and Chair Howton opposed over enforcement concerns.
Environmental groups presented evidence of erosion damage and 118,000 square feet of destroyed riparian buffer, citing a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit filed by Sound Rivers.
The board approved six weeks of paid family leave and five new mental health days for employees, developed with advocacy group Moms Rising.